THE NATIONAL Assembly has been recognised for being an excellent deaf-friendly organisation for the fourth consecutive year.

The National Assembly for Wales continues to win awards as a top deaf-friendly organisation after receiving the Action on Hearing Loss Cymru’s Excellence Wales award again this year.

The Assembly achieved the AHL Louder than Words accreditation for the first time in 2013, and have retained it in 2014 and 2015. Last year, the Assembly were also awarded Action on Hearing Loss Cymru’s Silver Excellence Wales Award.

The awards are organised to recognise success in proving deaf-friendly services to the 530,000 people in Wales who are deaf or have a hearing loss.

The Assembly’s Presiding Officer, Elin Jones AM, said: “I am proud of the commitments the National Assembly has to making itself accessible to all. From BSL videos and tours of the Senedd to mandatory online training for all staff, we are committed to providing support to people who are deaf or have a hearing loss.”

“I would also like to thank the Assembly’s Equalities Team for ensuring we deliver exemplar services that are recognised by external partners.”

Director of Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, Richard Williams, said: “The judging panel had the really difficult job of deciding the winners from an impressive shortlist, but I think they have done a fantastic job.

All of our winners prove that simple changes can make the lives of people with hearing loss more manageable on a day to day basis.

“I hope that organisations across Wales are inspired by our winners and start to think about changes they can make to ensure their services are accessible to the one in six people who are deaf or hard of hearing.”